Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Cherokee Press Association
Copyright © 1998 CPA
All Rights Reserved

NEWS RELEASE
May 19, 1998

It was reported in the Tahlequah Daily Press on May 13, 1998 that Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation General Counsel, Nate Young, had resigned over the wiretapping suit and had said that Chief Byrd was involved.

REPORT IN THE TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS - 5/13/98 THAT NATE YOUNG HAD RESIGNED OVER THE WIRETAPPING SUIT AND HAD SAID THAT CHIEF BYRD WAS INVOLVED.

Article Headline: HACN attorney resigns, says chief knew of wiretapping.

The paper said, “Young said the federal wiretapping complaint filed last week by Cherokee tribal members Robin Mayes and Marvin Summerfield is related to an activity he believes is connected to orders issued by Principal Chief Joe Byrd.”

Reportedly Nate Young also said, “The tapes exist, the FBI has listened to them. Byrd sent people to the Housing Authority to retrieve them.”

The article stated that Chuck Shipley, attorney for the plaintiffs, said the amendment (to the case) is due to information learned after the lawsuit was filed last week. It appears that some Housing Authority employees, as well as some Cherokee citizens, were aware that some of the five commissioners had received information suggesting that the illegal wiretapping was going on by the Housing Authority employees, but refused to look into it, or attempt to discourage the practice.” Apparently according to Shipley’s statements, he received information alleging two of the five commissioners tried to take action to prevent the alleged illegal wiretaps, but were prevented from doing so by the majority of the commissioners.

Nate Young has been asked by commissioner Melvina Shotpouch, HACN commissioner to represent her.